California psychology license requirements

We have listed some of the most common questions and answers for California psychology continuing education below.

How many CE Hours does California require for psychologists?

• Psychologist:
  • 36 hours every 2 years
  • License expires every 2 years based on the date of issuance
• Registered Psychological Associate: 
  • There are no continuing education requirements. 
  • Registration expires annually and is renewed by the supervising psychologist on or before its expiration.
• Educational Psychologists (Board of Behavioral Sciences): 
  • 36 hours every 2 years
  • License expires every 2 years based on date of issuance

Can I use this site to earn my continuing education hours?

• Psychologists: Yes, we are approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The California Board of Psychology accepts courses offered by APA-approved providers.
• Educational Psychologists: Yes. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts courses from APA-approved providers. Licensees should search the library for courses relevant to their scope of practice.

Psychologists:

• The California Board of Psychology: 1 hour of Continued Professional Development (CPD) is equivalent to 1 APA CE hour.
• A maximum of 27 CPD hours may be obtained through sponsored continuing education.
• 4 CPD hours in the subject of Laws and Ethics as they apply to the practice of Psychology
  • Explore ethics courses
• 4 CPD hours in the subject of Cultural Diversity and/or Social Justice as they apply to the practice of psychology
  • Explore cultural diversity courses

Educational Psychologists (Board of Behavioral Sciences):

• 6 hours in Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention*
  • Explore suicide risk assessment and intervention courses
• 3 hours in Telehealth*
  • Explore telehealth courses
• New licensees are required to obtain 7 hours in Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting for their first renewal. 
  • Explore child abuse courses
• New licensees are required to obtain 15 hours in Alcoholism and Other Chemical Substance Dependency for their first renewal. 
  • Explore alcoholism and other chemical dependency courses
• 6 hours in Law and Ethics for each renewal
  • Explore ethics courses

School Psychologists (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing):

• School psychologists with Pupil Personnel Licenses from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing should refer to the Commission for information about professional development requirements.

*One-time requirement